Ofcom has imposed a £75,000 fine on City News Network (SMC) Pvt Ltd for failing to provide adequate protection for viewers.

The service Channel 44 – an Urdu-language news and current affairs channel – broadcast hate speech and material containing abusive treatment of the Ahmadiyya community.

Under the Broadcasting Code, licensees must not broadcast material which contains uncontextualised hate speech and abusive treatment of groups, religions or communities.

After an investigation (PDF, 802.4 KB), Ofcom concluded that the serious nature of the breaches of the Broadcasting Code warranted the imposition of statutory sanctions. These include a financial penalty and a direction to the broadcaster to broadcast a statement of Ofcom’s findings on a date and in a form to be determined by Ofcom.

The fine of £75,000 will be paid by City News Network (SMC) Pvt Ltd to HM Paymaster General.